Tag: Black hair

Your hair is the second fastest growing tissue in your body, yet for many Black individuals, hair health struggles can be linked to nutrient deficiencies. A poor diet can cause weak, brittle hair and other scalp issues, highlighting the critical link between internal nourishment and the health of your hair follicles.

Genetics is the primary determinant of hair color, but the specific nutrient responsible for black hair is a pigment called melanin. More specifically, a type of melanin called eumelanin is produced by specialized cells in the hair follicles, and its abundance is what gives hair its rich, dark tone.

Hair color is primarily determined by melanin, a natural pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes within hair follicles. By focusing on a diet rich in specific nutrients that support these cells, you can contribute to the healthy production of eumelanin—the type of melanin responsible for black and brown hair color. So, which food increases melanin in hair for black hair and how does it work?

According to a 2023 study published in *Science Japan*, it's a combination of minerals, not just one, that is essential for producing the dark pigment in hair. To understand which mineral makes hair black, one must delve into the complex process of melanin synthesis, where a key trace element acts as a critical cofactor.